Wachusett Mountain Highlights Importance Of Safety On The Slopes After Accident

BOSTON (CBS) – Wachusett Mountain is emphasizing the need for ski safety after a 12-year-old boy fell off a chairlift there last weekend.

Mountain owner Carolyn Stimpson told WBZ that the boy admitted to fooling around before falling off the chair and is expected to be OK.

“We’re actually hoping he’ll come back and do a safety message for us,” Stimpson.

January is also national ski safety month.

The foundation of Wachusett’s approach to safety is called the responsibility code. It includes seven simple rules.

Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.

People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.

You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.

Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.

Always use devices to help prevent runaway.

Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Ski patrolman Jason Tamulen said the key to its success is ingraining the code in ski culture. He gets kids to remember it by giving away free hot chocolate if they can remember four of the rules, and a chance at free ski passes if they can remember all of it.

“If we can get the kids to do it, to not stop in the middle of the trail, start on the side, ski with friends, don’t ever ski alone,” Tamulen said.